Cargo of Innocents (1942)
"Stand by for Action" (original title)

U. S. Navy Lieutenant Gregg Masterman (Robert Taylor), of THE Harvard and Boston Back Bay Mastermans, learned about the sea while winning silver cups sailing his yacht. He climbs swiftly in... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Z. Leonard

Writers:

Laurence Kirk (suggested by a story by), Harvey S. Haislip (original story),

Stars:

Robert Taylor, Charles Laughton, Brian Donlevy

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Taylor	...	Lieut. Gregg Masterman
Charles Laughton	...	Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas
Brian Donlevy	...	Lieut. Cmdr. Martin J. Roberts
Walter Brennan	...	Chief Yeoman Henry Johnson
Marilyn Maxwell	...	Audrey Carr
Henry O'Neill	...	Cmdr. Stone M.C
Marta Linden	...	Mary Collins
Chill Wills	...	Chief Boatswain's Mate Jenks
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Captain Ludlow
Richard Quine	...	Ensign Lindsay
William Tannen	...	Flag Lieut. Dudley
Douglas Fowley	...	Ensign Martin
Tim Ryan	...	Lieut. Tim Ryan
Dick Simmons	...	Lieut. (jg) Royce
Byron Foulger	...	Pharmacist's Mate 'Doc' Miller

Storyline

U. S. Navy Lieutenant Gregg Masterman (Robert Taylor), of THE Harvard and Boston Back Bay Mastermans, learned about the sea while winning silver cups sailing his yacht. He climbs swiftly in rank, and is now Junior Aide to Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas (Charles Laughton). In contrast,Lieutenant Commander Martin J. Roberts (Brian Donlevy), enlisted in World War I, and worked his way up gradually. He retired in 1935 but has been recalled as Executive Officer of the destroyer "Cranshaw." Impressed by Roberts' vigor, the rear admiral raises him to command of the destroyer "Warren,", an over-age World War I ship that has been recommissioned. Master laughs at Roberts' new command, only to have the Admiral assign him as the Executive Officer of the "Warren," under Roberts. The ship is to join a convoy which has already left Hawaii, bound for the United States. The Flagship of the convoy is the cruiser, "Chattanooga,' with Admiral Thomas in command. On the way, a lifeboat is sighted. From it are...

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Plot Keywords:

convoy | destroyer | hawaii | lifeboat | japanese | 

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Genres:

Action | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 February 1944 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Cargo of Innocents

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 8, 1943 with Brian Donlevy and Charles Laughton reprising their film roles.

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Goofs

In the navy "aye-aye" is used to acknowledge an order. In this film it's used when "yes Sir" would have been the proper response.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Robert Taylor (1962)

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Soundtracks

"I'm a Sailor Man"
(uncredited)
Composer unknown
Played on guitar and sung by Chill Wills

User Reviews

Gentle comedy- WWI Vessel Recommissioned for WWII Action

This is a gentle comedy wherein a Lieutenant fresh from University (Taylor) sees his first action as second in command under gruff but human Lt. Commander (Donleavy) on a recommissioned WWI vessel setting out in convoy against the Japanese following the attack on Pearl Harbor. There is good old Walter Brennan delivering an effective and sentimental supporting performance and a lifeboat full of babies to rescue. The Oscar-nominated special effects are good but not outstanding - mainly involving the unlikely old vessel maneuvering to torpedo a Japanese destroyer. What is great fun is watching Charles Laughton steal the film away from everyone else with his crotchety, caring turn as Rear Admiral Thomas. He is a delight to watch, seemingly improving at every moment but we know every twitch, every frown, every hand gesture is calculated to look fresh. An enjoyable, easy-going film that's very easy to watch.